Information Pipeline on Meerschaums

Question: My recently deceased father left some one-of-a-kind items that are difficult to dispose of--especially by the uninitiated. Foremost among the items was a meerschaum pipe purportedly 100 years old. Is there a specific market for this item or a way to appraise it?--J.C.

Answer: Local pipe collector Richard Carleton Hacker said he would do his best to steer you into the proper channels if you are considering selling the pipe.

Hacker, a professional photographer who also is in the advertising and public relations business, has written a book that should be of interest to all pipe collectors: “The Ultimate Pipe Book” (Autumngold Publishing: $17.95, 305 pages). Chapters include the history of the pipe, pipe making and smoking and, of course, a chapter on collectible pipes.

The book, which is illustrated, ends with a chapter on sources that lists manufacturers and brands, importers, individuals who do repair and reconditioning work, pipe clubs, trade groups, publications, museums and a brief bibliography.

On collecting pipes, the author writes: “No matter what type of collectible pipe you are buying . . . the best advice I can offer is to admonish you not to buy a pipe to make money. That is a purchase best reserved for stocks and bonds. Buy a pipe because you like it, or just because it stirs up some fond memory hidden back in the deep, shadowy recesses of your mind. That way, you can never lose on a pipe purchase, because you will always have a pipe that you like.

“And if it increases in value, then just consider it a bonus for following your emotions and not your wallet. After all, pipe collecting should be one investment that we wouldn’t mind seeing go up in smoke!”

Hacker says the book is available in most pipe and some book shops. The author’s telephone number: (818) 783-2477.

Hacker estimates that there are about 3,000 serious pipe collectors in this country, but there are far more in Europe, particularly in Germany.

He adds that one of the best U.S.-based pipe organizations is Pipe Collectors International, P. O. Box 22085, 6172 Airways Blvd., Chattanooga, Tenn. 37422. The group’s annual meeting will be in St. Louis, March 22-24, at the Park Terrace Airport Hilton.

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On a somewhat related note, we have on our desk the “Handbook of Cigar Boxes” by Tony Hyman (Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, N.Y. 14901: $19.95, 166 pages), a large coffeetable book with plenty of black-and-white illustrations. Chapters cover just about everything that you’d want to know about this colorful collectible, including different types of wood and metal cigar boxes, labels, stamps, stickers and seals and how to collect, clean and restore the boxes. Additionally, a cigar-brand index will be of interest to collectors.

The author writes: “There are three distinct approaches to the collecting of cigar boxes. You can collect boxes as packaging art, a three-dimensional, pleasing-to-look-at form of commercial sculpture.

“Or you can collect (cigar-box) labels as advertising (on or off boxes), a form of two-dimensional commercial art collecting that already has a large following.

“The third approach is to collect cigar boxes as historical artifacts, with an eye to their place in the story of the industry. . . . My experience has been that the collector who does all three has the most fun.”

Hyman, a writer, estimates that the cigar industry over the years has produced boxes for possibly as many as 2 million different brands--enough to boggle any collector’s mind.

His book, originally published in 1979, is available by contacting Hyman at P. O. Box 331, Temple City 91780.

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We received a note from Harvey Abrams in West Berlin who says he is “a sport historian” who has built a large library on the Olympic Games. As an outgrowth of this interest, he says, he has put together a collectible business specializing in Olympic books, literature, medals, medallions and related items.

“I do not collect pins, as is the wild craze in Los Angeles,” he wrote. “However, I do have a nice selection for sale.”

Abrams says he has published a catalogue of his inventory, available at $3 (for postage and handling). His address: An den Hubertshausern 21, 1000 Berlin 38, West Germany. His letterhead also lists a domestic address under Harvey Abrams-Books, 409 Regina St., Philadelphia 19116.

Ronald L. Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.